Specializing in energy, environmental, natural resources, public utilities, and telecommunications law, Michael counsels companies from a diverse array of industries.
Michael represents clients before state and federal regulators in rulemakings and adjudications. In these matters, Michael collaboratively engages with stakeholders, regulators, and elected officials to formulate durable and workable policy that aligns with clients’ business needs. Should a judicial appeal be necessary, Michael diligently represents clients in both defending and challenging administrative appeals in state and federal courts. He has been the principal author of appellate briefs successfully defending agency action in three federal courts of appeals and likewise has successfully briefed challenges to agency actions in state and federal court.
Leveraging his subject-matter expertise in environmental law and his client’s businesses, Michael also assists clients in navigating complex commercial transactions, compliance, and project development. Michael’s attention to detail and comprehensive understanding of intricate state and federal requirements make him a critical asset to clients in these matters.
Before joining Womble Bond Dickinson, Michael gained considerable experience clerking for Judge Paul J. Kelly Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and as an associate at national and boutique law firms in Denver, where he also focused on regulatory matters. Michael graduated first in his class from the University of Colorado Law School, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Colorado Environmental Law Journal.
Outside of work, Michael enjoys the great outdoors, spending quality time cycling, hiking, and camping with his wife and two young children.
Representative Experience
Any result the lawyer or law firm may have achieved on behalf of clients in other matters does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients.
- Successfully defended state administrative agency’s interpretation of federal law at the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
- Represented electric utility clients in fully litigated proceedings before multiple state administrative agencies.
- Appealed state administrative agency decision in state court appeals process and secured a partial reversal.
